MSB Reference DAC
The Reference DAC
Establishing an industry reference for digital playback.
Four Hybrid DACs.
With four Hybrid DACs, the Reference DAC produces an unmatched level of detail. It reproduces the musicality, soundstage, and texture of the original performance, bringing the artist to you. A fully balanced, ultra-high precision, discrete ladder DAC architecture ensures each note tells a story. Additionally, MSB’s robust in-house design enables the finest quality playback of PCM and native DSD, while our low impedance circuitry drives your amplification directly without adding coloration or buffering noise. The end result is a digital experience defying expectations. (More…)
Femto 33 clock.
Our clock module architecture is built with the customer in mind—we’ve made the clock module user-upgradable, ensuring future updates are simple and streamlined. Each Reference DAC comes with the our most advanced Femto 33 Clock featuring a custom oven controlled dual crystal design. (More…)
A display for the listening chair.
Equipped with high-visibility and a wide viewing angle, the display is both easy-to-read and stunning. This attention to detail exhibits our love for functional and intuitive features. The LED display, slaved to the audio clock, is refreshed between data processing to drastically reduce electrical interference. The in-house discrete design is then enclosed into its own shielded CNC pocket for optimal isolation. Sit back and be immersed. (More…)
The Reference Powerbase
You can’t underestimate the importance of a clean power supply. A re-imagined design paired with the DAC reduces the noise floor even further. We’ve equipped the DAC with a single supply for the digital side of the DAC, along with an isolated supply for the analog side, yielding an unprecedented level of performance. (More…)
The Digital Director
The Digital Director enhances essential DAC functions, externally manages digital audio sources, provides unmatched noise isolation and digital filtering. Using our proprietary ProISL laser fiber optic connection, the Digital Director eliminates noise coupling into the DAC from any digital source. This advanced isolation technology elevates the performance of all digital audio sources. Additionally, increased processing power ensures our digital filtering algorithms achieve a new level of realistic and accurate analog reproduction. Born from years of research and development, along with a keen understanding of digital filter design, the Digital Director levels up the performance of all digital audio. (More…)
Completely modular.
Paired with performance increases, our modular design ethos increases flexibility for future updates and product support, guaranteeing a long-term product investment. As you pursue higher levels of playback, an MSB upgrade path is always available to help drive your own desire for innovation. Whether it’s a software update or a leading-edge modular component, we’re here to help the most valued aspect of MSB—our customers.
Engaging with the future.
MSB thrives off the innovation required to meet consumer demands. We’re constantly improving digital input modules to stay at the forefront of the high-end audio industry, ensuring you’re always equipped with the most current digital file formats and interfaces. Focusing on our network renderer and Pro USB input, your audio tech will be on the cutting edge. Put simply, your DAC is ready for the future. (More…)
A better USB solution.
The Pro USB was developed to offer a multi part USB solution that features complete electrical isolation and all the performance of MSB’s proprietary Pro ISL input. The Pro USB is offered as a stand alone module for users who already have an MSB DAC that is equipped with a Pro ISL input as well as a starter kit with a Pro ISL input and everything you need to get up and running.
– Complete electrical isolation
– Up to 24 bit – 768kHz
– MQA decoding
– Up to 8X DSD
– Up to 1km lossless transmission
Superior streaming.
The MSB Renderer was developed using an in-house hardware design running an ultra low noise A5 processor for optimal audio playback performance. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience.
– Up to 32 bit – 768kHz
– MQA decoding
– Roon Endpoint
– Up to 4X DSD
– UPnP Protocol
– DLNA Protocol
The last preamp you will ever need.
The Preamp Output Module will give you a cutting edge constant impedance passive volume control preamp. Using this remarkable preamp will reduce system complexity and ultimately improve the audio quality of your entire system. It’s a remarkable feat of electrical design that sets a new benchmark in the industry. When required, XLR to RCA Adapters are available for single-ended systems. With sideways expansion, the preamp can accommodate additional analog inputs, and isolated sub outputs. (More…)
CNC billet chassis.
Starting with an 65lb plate of ‘Kaiser Select Precision Plate’, material is machined in our own in-house CNC shop. After more than four hours of machining, 60% of the aluminum is removed, resulting in a 18lb finished product. The integration of our CNC shop allows for design optimization to create the best possible product. We use the high quality premium ‘Select’ metal, giving us the best anodized finishes on the market.
The MSB Remote
When we set out to make the MSB remote, the design was built from the ground up. Stainless steel buttons arrayed around an elegant volume wheel to optimize performance and response. California crafted in-house from an aluminum billet, the enclosure feels solid yet refined. Tailored for both the transport and the DAC’s daily use, our remote brings you closer to the music you love.
Anodized finishes.
Elegant yet commanding, our finishes are available in a matte silver or matte black anodize. Our products include our in-house designed viton feet, but any audiophile M6X1 foot can be installed to personalize your system.
MSB Reference DAC
The Reference DAC:
Supported Formats
(Input dependent)
44.1kHz to 3,072kHz PCM up to 32 bits
1xDSD, 2xDSD, 4xDSD, 8xDSD
Supports DSD via DoP on all inputsDigital Inputs 4x Advanced isolated input module slots XLR Analog Inputs* 100kΩ Balanced
12Vrms Maximum
Isolated when not selectedXLR Analog Outputs 3.57Vrms Maximum (Digital Input)
12Vrms Maximum (Analog Input)150Ω Balanced Galvanically isolated Preamp Output Module
Volume Control*
Purely passive constant impedance analog attenuation
1dB stepsBase Output Volume
Control
1dB steps Dynamic Range
(20Hz to 20kHz)143dBFS
145dBAFSDisplay Custom discrete LED audio clock synchronous display
Adjustable brightness and auto-off featureControls Isolated RS-232
IR Remote
Knob + 3 Buttons*Optional Preamp Output Module required
Chassis Dimensions:Width: 17.5 in (444 mm) Depth: 17.5 in (444 mm) Chassis Height
(Without Feet):
2.2 in (79 mm) Stack height: 2.85 in (92 mm) Weight: 25 lbs (11 kg) Product Feet: M6X1 Thread
Shipping DimensionsWidth: 25 in (635 mm) Depth: 25 in (625 mm) Height: 10 in (254 mm) Weight: 50 lbs (24 kg)
Included AccessoriesUser Manual
MSB Remote
USB charging cable